Taking inspiration from contemporary songwriters like Phoebe Bridgers and Ethel Cain as much as from her upbringing within the Native communities of the Otoe-Missouria and Keetoowah Cherokee, Sierra Spirit’s raw lyrics and melancholy instrumentals paint an aptly unique portrait of a one-of-a-kind artist. The hardships she’s overcome—and the toughened personality they’ve forged—are on full display on her coin toss EP, which was produced by Aaron Taos, and which will be released on Taos’ new Howdy Partner Music imprint after the remaining three tracks are released over the course of the coming weeks.
In the meantime, “ghost” offers a taste of the introspective and spectral quality of these recordings, with Spirit’s vocals occasionally recalling Bridgers’ as the song’s imagery harkens back to Stranger in the Alps. “‘ghost’ is about wasting time in a relationship you aren’t valued in and you know it—so you’d rather cover yourself up and hide than face the fact that you’re in something so one-sided,” she shares. “The fear that you’re wasting so much of your time with this person that they know you better than anyone is crippling. So much so that you’d rather walk home down the highway than get back in their car and feel that shame of putting yourself in a situation like this.”
These ideas are brought to life in Pierce Pyrzenski’s video for the track, which sees Spirit passing time in a lonely cabin before constructing a ghost who eventually joins her around the campfire for a slice of pizza. Check it out below.
